Accra: Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Mr Eazi, has recounted a past incident, highlighting the struggles he faced in Kenya despite being fully paid to perform at a concert. Speaking at the ongoing 2026 African Prosperity Dialogues, the singer alleged that Kenyan immigration officials prevented him from entering the country, even though his band was granted access. Taking these experiences into account, Mr Eazi bluntly stated that touring Europe and America is far easier than touring within Africa as an artiste.
According to Ghana Web, Mr Eazi shared his experiences over the years, noting that in his six years as a touring singer, four of those were also spent engaging in entrepreneurial activities. He reflected on how, despite having one of the biggest songs in Africa, it was harder for him to tour the continent compared to Europe or America. He recounted specific incidents in Kenya where he, the lead artiste, faced challenges at the border, while his band members of other nationalities were allowed entry.
The musician also highlighted during his speech that cross-border friction within Africa is mostly felt by the youth, creatives, and individuals involved in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Despite this being a major challenge affecting businesses, Mr Eazi pointed out that young people remain largely unperturbed because the internet has transformed the world into a global village.
"This friction is felt the most by us, the youth, artistes, creators, influencers, SMEs, women, and young Africans who not only want to better their lives but also contribute to the shared prosperity of our continent," he said. He emphasized that young people under the age of 35 are less concerned about borders, focusing instead on collaboration, internet-based initiatives, cross-border business partnerships, and creativity.